Following a clean-up recently, residents of Fontainebleau who took the initiative to clean their neighbourhood, are disappointed with City Park, which left the job half done.
“The residents had come together with the Linden Community Policing Forum as well as Linden Police Station and various security companies. They wanted to clean up their neighborhood so it would be safe for their children to play outside. This is something great which could uplift the community,” explained Ward 104 Councillor Mike Wood.
According to the organiser of the clean-up, Natalie Morton, it was extremely important that all residents came together to clean up in an effort to stop crime in areas such as the Fontainebleau children’s traffic centre, the park and its surrounding areas which are notorious for harboring criminal on Martha Avenue.
“We have asked City Parks, numerous times through our ward councillor, Mike Wood to remove the cuttings from the park, even before the actual work took place, to allow police and security to see directly through the park. City Parks arrived on 28 March and cut the grass around all the garden refuse and did not finish their job. So now, we not only have a number of heaps of dead vegetation but to the benefit of the vagrants and criminals, more hiding space for their stash,” complained Morton.
In response to the matter City Parks spokesperson Jenny Moodley said that her team did work on all the issues that residents wanted addressed. “It is possible that there is a setback of which we will have a look into and ensure that the situation is dealt with,” explained Moodley.
Moodley stated that since the team heard of the complaint they went back to attend to the matter.
Details: City Parks Switchboard 011 712 6600 or Natalie Morton natcanmor@gmail.com or Ward 104 councilor Mike Wood mikewo@mweb.co.za
I was involved in the cleanup and am truly disheartened that the cut branches are still there.
The area is also a notorious drinking “hang out” for local domestic workers, who also run a shebeen from the park. SAPS choose to ignore residents pleas for police to apprehend the drinkers in their illegal drinking spot.
Hi there
I am doing a follow up on the story, I have a response from the Linden police regarding the matter and am awaiting for another response from City Parks.